Saturday, 4 August 2012

A long outstanding visit to Lyme Regis to check out the breeding status of the

DIPPERs
there was undertaken today in blustery but mostly sunny conditions.
With no restrictions on the bus pass at weekends it was the early X53
service west, but a day when none of the birds were encountered.
Fortunate then that a few 'shots' were taken of the series of villages
en-route through the bus window.

First of these is PORTESHAM

quickly followed by the world renowned ABBOTSBURY with its quaint cottages,

the SWAN PUBLIC HOUSE, one of 2 in the village,

and views along the main street where building date back to at least 1785.

The second of the Pubs is the ILCHESTER ARMS, as ever bedecked in flowers and bunting, before reaching

the continuation of the road west.

St CATHERINE'S CHAPEL can be seen distantly from here as we approached

the
steep incline of ABBOTSBURY HILL where not surprisingly the visibility
started to decrease. The FLEET and CHESIL BEACH can just be seen in the
middle distance.

Only moments later and just a little higher the whole valley was blanked from view, but conditions

rapidly improved as we reached SWYRE and its own public house THE BULL.

The tiny harbour at WEST BAY is haven for dozens of small fishing and pleasure boats and within 15 minutes we reached

the quaintly named CHIDEOCK with a whole host of

THATCHED COTTAGES

with their beautifully attended gardens. Dahlias, Begonias, Cart Wheels, Water Pump and Statue.

Good views across the MARSHWOOD VALE are afforded before reaching

CHARMOUTH followed by our destination Lyme Regis.

Reaching
the LEPER'S WELL, perched on the left bank of the RIVER LYM, and its
surrounding flora brought to mind the Genesis classic magnum opus The Return of the Giant Hogweed!

Turn and run! Nothing can stop them,
Around every river and canal their power is growing.
Stamp them out! We must destroy them,
They infiltrate each city with their thick dark warning odour.
They are invincible,
They seem immune to all our herbicidal battering.

Long ago in the Russian hills,
A Victorian explorer found the regal Hogweed by a marsh,
He captured it and brought it home.
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge.
Royal beast did not forget.
He came home to London,
And made a present of the Hogweed to the Royal Gardens at Kew.

Waste no time!They are approaching.
Hurry now, we must protect ourselves and find some shelter
Strike by night! They are defenceless.
They all need the sun to photosensitize their venom.
Still they're invincible,
Still they're immune to all our herbicidal battering.

Fashionable country gentlemen had some cultivated wild gardens,
In which they innocently planted the GIANT HOGWEED throughout the land.
Botanical creature stirs, seeking revenge.
Royal beast did not forget.
Soon they escaped, spreading their seed,
Preparing for an onslaught, threatening the human race.

and across the bay to THE COB.
When
you finally visit our part of the wold, which surely ALL of you will
do, please do not miss this fantastic bus ride along the Jurassic Coast, I can promise an unforgettable experience.

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About Me

Born Beeston, Notts 1946, my family moved to Dorset 1959. Joined the Royal Navy age 15 years and 50 days serving 10 years. In frigates firstly then over 5 years in Submarines as a Seaman/Diver, reaching the dizzy heights of Leading Seaman before leaving to join the Merchant Service, working in Ocean Salvage and Harbour Tugs, passenger / cargo ships, trials vessels, etc. Qualified as Mate (Chief Officer) in 1976 and as Master (Captain) in 1978. For my final 20 years of 47 I worked in the Offshore Oil Industry initially on the drilling rig Stena Hunter, then the accommodation barge Borgland Dolphin and finally the Floating Production Platform Buchan Alpha. On the rigs I forged a number of long lasting friendships several of whom shared some of my extensive travels. Setting foot on Caymen, Bermuda, Bahamas and The Azores in March 2013 brought my countries total to 147. The best, undoubtedly, was Antarctica, followed by Australia, Mongolia, Belize, Zimbabwe, China and Madagascar, in no particular order. As for my greatest achievement in life, my 2 beautiful daughters bear witness to that. Love to all our readers, your in my thoughts. Bagsy